Five Memorable Way to Say Thanks


It will probably happen to you at least once this season. Someone—whether it's your boss or mother-in-law, next-door neighbor or distant uncle—will astonish you with the perfect gift. After your initial feelings of pleasant surprise and gratitude comes the difficult question: how do you express heartfelt thanks: A card? Flowers? A box of chocolates? Any and all of these are perfectly acceptable, but we think a memorable present deserves an equally memorable thank you; below are five gifts that we believe will convey your sincere appreciation.

• Letterpress cards or stationary. Letterpress printed designs and typefaces on high-quality paper feel as elegant as they look. We recommend selecting blank cards and stationary, so the person you're giving this to can use them for any occasion, though a set of "thank you" cards nicely underscores your own sentiments.
• Specialty food gift basket. From the sweet to the savory, baked goods from America's Heartland to jams, oils and cheeses from Europe, gift baskets—especially when they are chock-full of goodies—are guaranteed to please most palettes. If you're giving this gift to someone close to home, look for foods made in far away places. Otherwise, we recommend a basket filled with unique foods made in your neighborhood. Most delis and specialty food stores offer pre-packaged gift baskets—all you have to do is choose and provide a shipping address.
• Monthly cut flower subscription. Sure, a dozen roses is nice. But a dozen roses a dozen times over is a gift most people won't forget. There are many monthly flower subscription services online. Our recommendation: send roses in February and vary the bouquet the rest of the year.
• Concert tickets and CD. Picking the artist or show can be tricky if you're not intimately familiar with what the person on the receiving end likes. You can always ask his or her spouse or best friend. Our suggestion: buy the concert tickets and then tuck them inside the artist's (or orchestra's) CD for a surprise delivery.
• Dinner for two. Purchase a gift certificate to a popular restaurant. If you're undecided on restaurants, use the Internet to look for reviews or browse the trusty Zagat Guide to help you find the right establishment. If dinner for two is outside your budget, consider an amount that would cover the cost of a bottle of wine and enclose a note with your certificate that explains that the first glass is for a special toast: to them.

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